Johnson Richardson joined the 49ers as the team’s Offensive Graduate Assistant/Tight Ends coach July 1, 2012. He was a member of the staff during the red-shirt season of 2012 before the 49ers took the field in 2013 for the inaugural season. In 2014, he was promoted to a full-time post.

Richardson, a tight end at Wofford from 2006-10, served as the Tight Ends Coach/Offensive Graduate Assistant for two years at Wingate. A 2010 Wofford grad, Richardson was a member of Wofford’s 2007 Southern Conference Championship team.

At Wingate, Richardson served as the Assistant Video Coordinator and Long Snappers Coach in 2011 and the Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Director of Football Operations in 2010. Prior to his college playing days, he was an equipment and sideline assistant for the Carolina Panthers.

"Johnson comes highly recommended from Wofford and coach Mike Ayers -- and we have a lot of respect for him and the way they run their program," Lambert said. "He played tight end and has coaching experience at that position, as well. We’re excited to have him in our program."

Richardson, who attended Charlotte’s Providence Day High School and played in the All-Star Shrine Bowl Classic, is the grandson of Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. The 49ers’ Jerry Richardson Stadium is named for the Panthers’ owner and McColl-Richardson Field is named thanks to a generous combined donation from Hugh McColl and Jerry Richardson.

Johnson Richardson, who lives in Charlotte, is the son of Jon and Kathleen Richardson. Jon was a wide receiver at North Carolina and a former President of Panthers Stadium LLC. He passed away July 16, 2013.